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ICD-10 is supplemented by official guidelines that provide details on the use of the ICD-10 codes. There are different guidelines for each year, so when you access them, be sure you're using the guidelines for the correct year.
Accessing ICD-10 Code Sets
Most online booksellers carry printed versions of ICD-10-CM for the current fiscal Year. When ordering, be sure you are ordering a code book that is not in draft form.
CMS provides free electronic files of the complete ICD-10-CM code sets. Be sure you download the codes for the correct year.
In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ICD-10-CM webpage contains official coding guidelines for the current and previous years, announcements about new codes, and a browser tool for searching through the code sets. This includes CDC's announcement in November 2020 of new codes related to COVID-19 that became effective Jan. 1, 2021.
Common Codes Used in Physical Therapy
- APTA developed these lists of commonly used codes in different areas of physical therapist practice. The lists are not exhaustive, so accompany them with the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, tables, and index. The lists of added and deleted codes for 2025 can be found here: 2025 Addendum (ZIP)
To best navigate each list, open the expandable and collapsible bookmarks feature in the left column.
- Cardiovascular and Pulmonary
- Geriatric
- Neurologic
- Orthopedic
- Pediatric
- Pelvic Health
- Sports
- Wound Care Management
A Note About the First-Listed Diagnosis
APTA is aware of the many questions about the first-listed diagnosis for patients receiving outpatient physical therapist services. For clarification and to encourage consistent coding, APTA contacted the ICD-10 Cooperating Parties, which include the American Hospital Association, the American Health Information Management Association, CMS, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
HIPAA requires assigning ICD-10-CM codes according to the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting. The 2025 guidelines state:
Section IV. Diagnostic Coding and Reporting Guidelines for Outpatient Services
C. Accurate reporting of ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes
For accurate reporting of ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes, the documentation should describe the patient’s condition, using terminology which includes specific diagnoses as well as symptoms, problems, or reasons for the encounter. There are ICD-10-CM codes to describe all of these.
D. Codes that describe symptoms and signs
Codes that describe symptoms and signs, as opposed to diagnoses, are acceptable for reporting purposes when a diagnosis has not been established (confirmed) by the provider. Chapter 18 of ICD-10-CM, Symptoms, Signs, and Abnormal Clinical and Laboratory Findings Not Elsewhere Classified (codes R00-R99) contain many, but not all codes for symptoms. (Page 111)
G. ICD-10-CM code for the diagnosis, condition, problem, or other reason for encounter/visit
List first the ICD-10-CM code for the diagnosis, condition, problem, or other reason for encounter/visit shown in the medical record to be chiefly responsible for the services provided. List additional codes that describe any coexisting conditions. In some cases, the first-listed diagnosis may be a symptom when a diagnosis has not been established (confirmed) by the provider. (Page 112)
APTA recognizes that with ICD-9 payers were not consistent with instructions on the first-listed diagnosis, and physical therapists may not have been coding according to the guidelines above. With ICD-10, APTA believes the first-listed diagnosis should be consistent with the ICD-10 Coordinating Parties, payers, and other organizations.